Fixing people's problems instead of helping them find solutions is a classic leadership mistake.

That was one of the key takeaways Mid Canterbury photographer, farmer, and Hekeao Hinds Hill Country Catchment Group member Anna Munro learned at a recent Ignite Leadership Course.

"As farmers, we tend to want to fix things.

"When we see a problem, we fix it.

"But if you deal with people and fix all their issues, it can be disempowering for them.

"It doesn't allow them to find their own answers," Munro said.

Rural Coach partner and coach Sarah Barr facilitated the two-day course in Ashburton in October. Four more courses are planned for Mid Canterbury in 2025.

The course aims to foster leadership, communication, and coaching skills.

Mid Canterbury Catchment Collective has funded 12 people to date to attend the course, which includes follow-up one-on-one sessions.

Munro said the course focused on having conversations with open questions to allow the other person to dig deeper and find their own answers.

"It's a coaching model of questioning."

"It's a lot of empowerment and effective communication, which I found valuable for my personal life as well."

The course is not just aimed at those seeking board or directorship positions; it can also give people the skills to communicate effectively with staff, colleagues, and clients in everyday rural settings like farms and agricultural organisations.

Munro said that being in a "fix-it" mindset can lead to burnout as people tend to double up on everyone else's problems as well as their own.

"You aren't helping anyone if you come away from a conversation and have ten things on your to-do list from their problems."

Munro said the model can also be turned around and used on yourself, allowing you to move from focusing on mistakes to seeing opportunities.

"It's about looking for options rather than dwelling on mistakes and beating yourself up."

Munro said her communication style has improved her personal and professional relationships, although changing old habits can take time.

"It's made me want to go away and work on my communication, but some of it's ingrained, and it's hard to change things.

"It doesn't happen overnight.

Coach Sarah Barr says the course teaches people to be aware of how they operate themselves and the impact of how they operate with others.

"How we operate could limit the opportunity for others to grow beside us."

Barr said people often found the benefits of the course to have a flow-on effect on personal relationships.

"We often get people say, I came here to get more of my staff, but this is really useful for dealing with my kids and my wife."

Part of the program focuses on giving effective feedback that is both positive and corrective.

Barr said that saying "well done" every day at knockoff time becomes meaningless.

"If you say that every day, it's not appreciated.

"If you want your feedback to be meaningful, give them some information.

"Give them the details, and then they will know what you value."

Barr said the aim of the course is for people to listen more and talk less and to understand that everyone approaches situations differently.

"It doesn't mean their way is wrong; it's different from yours.

"It's about being more focused on the outcomes desired and engaging your family or team so they feel ownership over the results on the farm.

"Whatever the situation, when people feel ownership, they are far more engaged in delivering."

The next Ignite Course is scheduled in Ashburton for March 26 & 27.

By Claire Inkson